COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster wants the stateโs electric providers to review their power grids to see if they could face problems like what happened in Texas during the recent winter storm.
McMaster sent a letter Friday to the Office of Regulatory Staff, asking the watchdog group to โundertake a comprehensive review of our stateโs public and private power grid to evaluate its ability to withstand potential ice storms and other dangerous winter conditions.โ
His letter noted the state is familiar with how hurricanes can disrupt power.
McMaster asked the agency to send their report to his office and lawmakers and request a hearing on the matter before the Public Service Commission if it sees fit.
The governorโs letter also asked state-owned Santee Cooper, which isnโt under the control of regulators, to also participate in the review.
One of the stateโs largest power providers told news outlets that a power grid collapse like happened in Texas is unlikely here.
While Texasโ grid is isolated, South Carolina is connected to power providers along the East Coast and can buy additional electricity from areas far away that arenโt affected, said Dominion Energy President of Electric Operations Keller Kissam.
โWe could have electricity flowing on our system from another utility, or we could be flowing to another utility, and itโs seamless,โ Kissam told the TV station. โCustomers never see it.โ
